Iden East Sussex
All Saints Church
All Saints Church, a historic building with origins in the early 12th century, showcases a rich architectural evolution through the centuries. The earliest part of the church, the nave, dates back to the early 12th century, marked by distinctive quoins.
By the late 12th century, aisles and a west tower were added, the latter initially featuring a likely timber spire. The chancel, reconstructed in the 13th century, retains elements like the piscina, hinting at its medieval past.
Significant modifications occurred around the turn of the 16th century, well-documented through bequests that funded enhancements including a heightened tower with diagonal buttresses and a decorative four-centred doorway. The tower’s bell openings and battlemented stair-turret from this period add to its imposing stature.
Further alterations in the 15th and early 16th centuries included the rebuilding of the north aisle and chapel, retaining possibly the original 12th-century foundations. The chapel, associated with the manor of Mote, features a crownpost roof consistent with the period’s architectural style.
The church underwent a major restoration in 1875-76, which included renewing most external stonework and some interior modifications. A later interior refurbishment in 1959 stripped back some 19th-century additions, simplifying the chancel area while retaining some historic pews in the nave. All Saints Church stands today as a testament to the layered history of English ecclesiastical architecture.
(taken from All Saints Church – Iden in East Sussex)
The Bell Tower
Restoring Iden Church Bells
The Iden Bellringers with the support of Friends of Iden Church are aiming to raise funds to restore the bells so that they can once more become a regular and integral part of life in Iden.
The last major restoration of the bells of Iden’s All Saints Church took place in 1909. Over 100 years later, sadly the church bells now need major work again. Recent surveys have estimated costs of around £100,000. Without these funds the bells will become too dangerous to ring and will fall silent, perhaps forever.
At present the bell fittings are extremely worn and corroded making the bells extremely difficult to ring even for the most experienced ringer. If the decline is allowed to continue even this won’t be possible.
The Iden Bells are one of the heaviest set of six in Sussex with the heaviest weighing 15cwt. The lightest 5cwt is also the oldest dating from 1776. The work proposed involves rehanging the six bells with new, or restored fittings, including the headstocks, bearings, pulleys, and clappers, and strengthening the frames that hold the bells in the tower. This work should ensure the future of the bells now and for generations to come.
Church bells have a history of not only religious use but also of being rung as part of the secular life of the community. Restoring the bells would mean that they can be rung regularly not only at Sunday services, but at weddings, funerals and other local and national events.
Iden is a beautiful village with a strong community identity. Ensuring the future of the church bells is important to the fundamental character of our village.
We have plans to apply for grants but most need us to show community support and fundraising first so we will be launching a crowd-funder shortly.
In the meantime, please do get in touch if you would like to help fundraise or offer any other feedback on our proposals.
If you are interested in learning to ring please get in touch too.
Contact us at idenchurchbells@gmail.com or call Julie on 07973 508382
To stay updated follow us on social media (Facebook) Iden Church Bells (Instagram) @idenchurchbells
The photograph is of Iden, All Saints Church, bell ringers in the early 1900s.
From left to right they are; Fred Wells, Ted Coleman, Bill Cloak, Ernie Briant, George Wood, Henry Dive, Bill Wood and Billy Clark. The gentleman in the middle is Mr Bartholomew, presumably the captain of the ringers.